Northern Ireland

Tenant allegedly 'trashed' north Belfast property in row over deposit, court told

A tenant allegedly inflicted £4,000 worth of damage by "trashing" his north Belfast accommodation in a row over a deposit, the High Court has heard.

Portuguese national Ladis Diouf is accused of ripping out sinks and toilets, smashing windows and cutting up furniture at the property on Eia Street.

The 28-year-old was returned to Northern Ireland after being detained in Great Yarmouth in England earlier this month.

Diouf, of no fixed abode, is charged with criminal damage by damaging furniture, fixtures and fittings at the house on February 8 this year.

During a bail application, a prosecution lawyer agreed with a judge's assessment that the allegations involved "trashing the premises".

She claimed: "He ripped sinks and toilets off walls, broke two windows and slashed a sofa.

"He cut cables on electrical items and kicked in doors and studded walls."

The court heard that police were called by another tenant at the address.

"The damage is estimated to be over £4,000," the Crown lawyer disclosed.

Diouf, who is believed to have come to Northern Ireland in 2018, provided a statement to police after being brought back for questioning.

"He outlined a dispute with the landlord over a deposit of £315 he said was owed to him," counsel said.

"The reason for the delay between the incident and his arrest was that the applicant moved to Great Yarmouth."

She claimed that if Diouf was allowed to go back there he could then move on to Portugal.

Adjourning the bail application, Lord Justice McCloskey said he wanted checks carried out on an alternative address with a sister in Dungannon.

He added: "The court is gravely concerned about this incident."